Reporter’s diary

Press, 2 August 1983, Page 2

Reporter’s diary

Custom model THE stage crew of the Canterbury Children’s Theatre has been asked to create some strange props but one for the forthcoming production of “The Wonderful World of Mr Men” is probably the most challenging. The play, based on the “Mr Men 1 ’ books by Roger Hargreaves, features Mr Funny and his car, the “funnymobile.” The vehicle is required to be driven on stage where the bootlid becomes a picnic table complete with vase of flowers, the radiator contains saveloys and the headlights swivel to become a hot kettle where the saveloys are heated. In addition, the car has to make engine-type noises and play disco music on cue. All the requirements have been met and the “funnymobile” is being testdriven ready for the production’s opening later this month. Zzzzzzzz TWO Indian scientists studying the effects of the Earth’s , magnetic field on man’s rtpods, have advised people to sleep with their

heads pointing towards the east because this will make them feel calm and alert. Sleeping with the head to the north causes confusion, depression, restlessness and sloth, they say. This reminds the Diary of a colleague’s theory about waking up on time. She swears by the ‘thump-the-head-on-the-pillow” method. To wake up at 8 a.m., for instance, simply thump the head on the pillow eight times — firmly, but not too firmly — making sure that on the last thump it stays there. The .method, the Diary is assured, works for half hours as well as hours by using half-thumps rather than full thumps. Somewhat sceptical, the Diary has to admit the colleague in question has not been late for work yet. Beg your pardon THE Minister of Health, Mr Malcolm, is the recipient of the Winter ’B3 Gobbledegook Award of the “New Zealand Family Physician” journal. His award-winning speech, on June 16, included: “I have expressed my views in this forum before. I one of those who maintains that

irrespective of the accuracy of our manpower planning mechanisms at present (and I might say that they are among the most accurate and detailed in the world), I nevertheless believe the presence of more young doctors in the market place is going to have an effect on the basis of assumptions we have traditionally made.” Centenary THE Brackenfield Hunt will celebrate its hundredth anniversary next year and a committee has been set up to compile a book of events of the past 100 years. Photographs of hunting identities, and recollections of members and past members are being collected for the book by Mrs M. J. Allin, Morwenstow, RD. 1, Kaiapoi. Nuclear protest CLOWNS, street theatre, stilt-walkers and a band will be among the activities in Cathedral Square at lunchtime today to promote a nuclear-weapon-free zone for New Zealand and to protest against the visit of the United States warship the Texas. Christchurch’s

peace groups will outline several of their planned activities for the rest of the year and a display will connect the arrival of the Texas with the A.N.Z.U.S. Treaty. If wet, the programme will be held tomorrow. Delayed start ANOTHER story from the quick change department. A Court Theatre actress, Sherril Cooper, who plays Jocasta and Mrs Ebury in the theatre’s double bill production of “Dirty Linen” and “Oedipus” has to fly to Wellington today for a family funeral. She is due to return to Christchurch — weather and Air New Zealand permitting — by 7 p.m. The Court has moved back the starting time for the production to 7.45 p.m. to give the actress a little more time to get to the theatre. Heaven A READER survey by an American Catholic magazine produced these ideas of heaven; “chocolate,” “lots of baseball,” “an unlimited chargCxard.”